Convertible furniture



July 18, 1-933. P; BELLAVIA CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed March 31, 1930 m M; E Md m vwww Patented July 18, 1933 UNETED PETER BELLAVIA, OF GARWOOD, NEW JERSEY CDNVERTIBLE FURNITURE Application filed March 31, 1930. Serial No. 440,504.

This invention relates to convertible furniture, particularly applicable for use in the open air by excursion or pleasure parties, such as persons holding a picnic, engaged 5 in camping, or traveling by automobile, and the invention has for an object to provide certain improvements which can be used advantageously in connection with convertible excursion outfits of the kind illustrated and described in my copending' application for Letters Patent of the United States, Serial No. 440,505, filed by me on Mar. 31, 1930.

More particularly, the invention has for its purpose and object to provide a suitcase embodying a construction of means which may be converted either into a table for use by the excursion party, or into a swinging cradle for babies or small children accompanying the party.

A further object is the provision of a convertible device of the above character which will possess points of convenience and elliciency, which will be economical to manufacture and at the same time be simple in construction and operation.

Another characteristic of the invention consists in the embodiment of relatively movable members capable of utilization as supports, either for the table adaptation or for the cradle adaptation, and which are collapsible into position within the suitcase for convenient carriage thereby. The invention also comprehends the provision of a suitcase structure which is adapted to carry not only all of the parts incidental to both the cradle and table adaptations, but also other equipment for the excursion party, and particularly parts of the equipment involved in the organization of my convertible excursion outfit above referred to.

The-above and additional advantages are accomplished by such means as are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, described in the following specification, and

then more particularly pointed out and claimed. 7

lVith reference to the drawing, wherein I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention, as it has been reducedto practice, and throughout the several views of which similarreference characters designate corresponding parts Figure 1 represents a perspective View of my improved suitcase as it appears when closed; .55 Fig. 2 is'a fragmentary detail sectional view in perspective, the sections of the case being in open relation and showing in connection with one of the sections, the movable elements associated therewith; Fig. 3 is a perspective view, showing the table structure which may be produced from the suitcase; and 1 Fig. 4 is a perspective View, showing thev cradle structure which may be produced from the suitcase, this view also showing the means which may be provided for supporting the cradle for swinging movement. The preferred form of construction, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, 7 comprises a suitcase N composed of two similar elongated box-like sections 10 and 11, each comprising a side wall 12 Withwhich are connected opposing top and bottom walls 13 and 14 and opposing endwalls 15.

As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the free edges of the bottom walls 14 of the two sections are united by hinges 16, so that the sections may be swung into closed relation as shown in Fig. 1 to produce the suitcase N for carrying arso ticles or equipment, and so that they may be swung into open relation with the bottom walls 14 abutting each other as shown in Fig. 2. When the sections are swung into open relation, the side walls 12 thereof lie in a common horizontal plane in order that, when the sections are converted into a table T, as shown in Fig. 3, the said side walls 12 will combine to furnish a level top for the table. As shown in Fig. 1, the tops 13 of the sections are furnished with suitable handles 17 by means of which the suitcase N vmay be readily carried when closed; that is to say, when the sections of the suitcase have been swung into 7 closed relation and secured in such closed, relation by conventional clas s or securing means as 18. With each of tile sections are associated two movable members 19 arranged to be moved into position to serve as support- J; ing elements either for the table T or for a 1 6 cradle C. Each of the movable members 19 is mounted at one end on a pivot pin 20 and in a corner produced by the convergence of an end wall 15 with its top wall 13. For thus pivotally securing the movable members 19 in the corners, I preferably provide in each section an auxiliary strip 21 which extends between the opposite ends 15 in spaced parallel relation to the top wall 13. The pivots 20 may be carried by the auxiliary strips. The members 19 are movable on their pivots 20 in the space between the top walls and auxiliary strips, and the mode of pivoting is such that said members may be swung into the space lengthwise thereof, with the member pivoted in one corner overlapping in lengthwise assembly the member pivoted in the opposite corner. WVhen, under this arrangement, the members 19 are swung outwardly, as shown by the dash-dot lines in Fig. 2, they are braced on two sides by the walls defining the corner; and as means for furtherbracing the members 19 in extended, position, I may provide pivoted clips 22 which may be swung into position to engage the extended members 19 at points opposite to the abutting corners, whereby to prevent said members 19 from being accidentally displaced from extended position. As herein shown, the clips 22 are movable on pivot pins 23 which project from the auxiliary strips. Additional means may also be provided for securing the members 19 in extended position against displacement; and to this end I may provide suitable braces in the form of rods24 which may be arranged to constitute diagonal connections between the members 19 and the sections. Said rods 24, for their application when the members 19 are extended, may have laterally bent ends 25 adapted to enter transverse apertures 26 intermediate the length of the members 19, while the opposite ends of the rods 24 are formed for insertion in suitable keeper openings as 27, suitably provided in the bottom walls 14 at points opposite to said members 19. It is in place to state here that each of the sections 10 and 11 is provided with duplicate parts such as the movable members 19 auxiliary strips 21, clips 22 and braces 24.

Therefore, each of the two sections is furnished with two corner members as 19 which, whenextended and braced by means of the clips 22 and rods 24, constitute supporting legs upon which the sections may be supported so as to constitute a table as shown in Fig. 3.

Instead of being transformed into a table T, the two sections may, when desired, be

transformed into a cradle C. To efiect the last-mentioned transformation, the hinge connected sections with their supporting members or .legs 19 extended, are partially closed sothatone section assumes an angular relation with respect to the other and so that the members or legs 19 are brought into an intercrossing relationship, with the transverse aperture 26 of one leg aligned with the corresponding transverse aperture of the adj acent leg. Thereupon suitable means, which may consist of the rods 24, are passed through the aligned apertures so as to constitute pintles for supporting the cradle for swinging movement. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the outer ends of the parts 24, now arranged to serve aspintles, are supported in socket pieces $58 furnished in benches 29, which are more fully illustrated and described in my abovementioned copending application. Under this arrangement, the cradle is supported upon the pintles for swinging movement between the benches 29. Additional means for the support of the pintles at either end of the cradle structure may be provided in the form of end frames or standards 30. In the construction of each of these standards, there is preferably a horizontal base 31 adapted to be placed upon the ground and upwardly converging sides 32 and 32 which unite at the apex of the structure in a manner to provide a seat 33 for receiving the pintle thereon. Said sides 32 and 32 are preferably formed of relatively heavy wire and the free ends thereof are detachably connected with the base 31, the provision in this regard pref erably consisting in providing the base 31 with suitable openings (not shown) in which the free ends of the said sides may be inserted. Above the base 31, the sides 32 and 32 are also preferably connected by a detachable brace 34. As herein represented, one end of the brace 34 is pivoted as at 35 to one of the sides, while the opposite end thereof is made with a hook 36 adapted to hook over a loop-like deformation 37 produced forthe purpose on the opposite side. The end frames or standards are thus produced so that they may be collapsed for storage in compact form within the suitcase; it being necessary, in order to bring aboutthe collapse of the standard, .to remove the base 31 thereoffrom the sides 32 and 32' and then to unhook the brace 34, whereupon the said sides 32 and 32 can be drawn together and secured together in compact relation. Within the cradle structure, which may thus be produced from .the suitcase sections, I may put a hammock-like lining 38, the opposite ends of which may be furnished with eyelets 39 or similar devices adapted to be engaged over the hook-like ends 25 of the pintles. Along its opposite longitudinal edges,

the lining may also be furnished with eyes.

the inter-crossed legs or members 19 afford convenient handles or grips whereby to swing the cradle.

Although my invention has been described with reference to its use in connection with my convertible excursion outfit, and its use in this regard is more or less illustrated and described in the hereinbefore-mentioned copending application for said'outfit, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted in its application to such specific use, and it will be recognized that eitherthe table or the cradle, transformed from the suitcase, may be utilized in any place or capacity for which it may be adapted.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a simple, inexpensive and efiicient means for carrying out the objects of the invention, and while I have particularly described the elements best adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes in the form, propor tion and in the minor details of the construction may be resorted to within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

I claim 1. A convertible case composed of two boxlike sections, each having an interior space defined by a side wall joining opposing end walls and opposing top and bottom walls, hinge means oining the free edges of the bottom walls to permit adjustment of the sections about the hinges to various positions, including one adjustment of the sections to one position in which the bottom walls are in abutting relation with the side walls established in a common plane to serve in the capacity of a table top, and another adjust ment of the sections to angular position in which the side walls diverge upwardly from the hlDgQCOIIDGCtGd bottom walls with the interior spaces in confronting relation to serve in the capacity of a cradle, a plurality of supports for each section each of which is disposed in the space of its individual section and pivoted to its individual section so as to be swung outwardly well beyond the end walls and top and bottom walls, adapting said support to be used support of the sections when the side walls thereof are established in a common plane, and further adapting the supports of one section to intercross the supports of the other section when the sections are established in angular relation, and pivot means for connecting the supports of the sections at the points of inter-crossing for retaining the supports and sections for swinging movement.

2. A convertible case composed of two box-like sections, each having an interior space defined by a side wall joining opposing end walls and opposing top and bottom walls, hinge means joining the free edges of the as legs for the cross the supports of the other section, said supports at the points of intercrossing having transverse openings, and pivot means adapted to be passed through said transverse openings for holding the supports and sections for swinging movement.

3. A convertible case composed of two box-like sections, each having an interior space defined by a side wall joining opposing end walls and opposing top and bottom walls, hinge means joining the free edges of the bottom walls to permit adjustment of the sections about the hinges to Various positions, and including an angular position in which the side walls diverge upwardly from the hinge-connected bottom walls with the interior spaces in opposing relation to serve in the capacity of a cradle, a support at the end of each section in the corner between the end and top wall thereof, each support being pivoted to its section and normally disposed in the space of its individual section so as to be swung outwardly Well beyond the side Walls and top and bottom walls, adapting the supports on the corresponding ends of the sections to be intercrossed, said intercrossing supports having aligned transverse openings, pivot pins adapted to be passed through the aligned openings of the intercrossed supports for holding the supports and sections for swinging movement, and a lining disposed in the confronting interior spaces adapted to be attached at its ends to said pivot pins and at its sides to the free edges of the top walls.

4. The combination of receptacles hinge connected for movement to various positions, said receptacles including side plates adapted through movement of the receptacles to one given position to be established in a common plane for providing a table top, and adapted through movement of the receptacles to another given position to be established in upwardly diverging relation for providing a cradle structure, movable members carried by said receptacles and adapted to be positioned substantially at right angles to said plates for the support of the receptacles in the capacity of a table when the side plates are established as a table top structure, said members when positioned substantially at right angles to said side plates being adapted tobe intercrossed when the receptacles are inverted and moved to the position where the side plates are established in upwardly diverging relation, and pivot means for connecting. said members at the points of intercrossing whereby through said members tosuspend the receptacles with the side plates established as a cradle structure.

5. In a convertible combination kit, two box-like sections adapted to form a closed container, hinge connections between said sections providing for opening movement thereofto fully opened position in which the sections lieina common plane, and to partially opened position in which the sections lie in diverging planes, a plurality of elongated members disposed in each section and each pivotally connected at one end thereof to its section, said members adapted, when the sections are fully opened, to be swung outwardly into substantially parallel relation to do service as legs'for the support of the sections open faces downwardly, and further adapted, when the sec- PETER BELLAVIA. 

